Omaha educator believes armed teachers is a worthy conversation

The recent deadly shooting at a Parkland, Florida school has sparked the conversation of arming teachers. Chris Proulx is the former president of the Omaha Education Association and current is a middle school teacher in Omaha. While he isn’t speaking for the Association he does say he has had conversations with others about the possibility of this becoming a reality.

Proulx says, “I know of a lot of teachers who are in favor of it. They are probably in the minority which is fine because we don’t need every teacher carrying a weapon in school.

But I think for those teachers that are comfortable enough and are willing to be adequately trained, I think that is something that should be on the table as discussion goes.”

Right now Nebraska law states that guns are not allowed in schools unless the person is the school resource officer. That law would have to be changed before teachers would be allowed to carry weapons. Proulx says that would allow local districts to make the best decision for their situation. He says many schools in rural areas do not have access to a school resource officer. He says that is why the decision should come down to individual districts.

A new survey shows that most adults in the U.S., 55%, are opposed to allowing teachers and staff to conceal carry in school. He says most education associations are against the idea and will likely not back down on their decision. He says this is a very good conversation for all of us to be having and there is merit to the idea.